Uncanny X-Men #20Review

My biggest gripe with Big 2 comics is that the ripples of their neverending onslaught of universe-spanning mega-events derail individual titles like a parade of ocean liners through a water ski show. Uncanny X-Men #20 is a prime example of a writer, after surveying the wreckage of his storyline, trying to piece together some type of closure before the next sweeping change runs through. Sadly, the result is, as you might expect, a patchwork of rubber logic, disappointment, and a few spots of greatness.

The book gets off to a rough start, as the perspective chosen for the fourth panel of the book was enough to totally distract me from the story’s building flow. It isn’t until the very last page that we get a shot wide enough to explain the crazy, M.C. Escher-esque properties of a table that appears in front of and behind Cyclops’ ruby-quartz wall at the same time. Later, artist Carlos Pacheco flubs the brouhaha between Colossonaut and Magik with lackluster choreography and an unimpressive rendering of the unstoppable brute.

It would be remiss not to give writer Keiron Gillen credit for steadying the boat to the best of his abilities, though. The latest development for the Danger-Unit Axis of Upheaval is written from a delightfully human perspective, supplying the reader with an empathetic handhold for each character. Gillen gets a pass on this book’s third thread in spite of an eye roll-inducing revelation because he introduces an interesting possibility for Cyclops’ next alliance. Plus, as Uncanny comes to an end, he sticks to the guns that he rode in on with this thread (Puns and mixed metaphors? You’re welcome, folks!) in spite of the mega-event that trampled over the majority of his story, and there’s something a little punk rock about that.

For me, this book is like red Ny-Quil. It goes down a hell of a lot better than it could have, and you know it’ll fix things for the future. Now, I understand that companies like Marvel need to have giant events to fund opportunities given to new titles like Hawkeye, but it doesn’t mean I have to be happy about the havoc they wreak with other, more established books. This issue is palatable, but it’s not sporting the neatest bow possible.

Poet is a freelance writer, mid-core gamer, and frequent IGN contributor. Follow Poet on Twitter @PoetMase, or post a message on his IGN profile PoetMase.